An indie veteran, Ellis’ approach often finds her spanning both sides of the emotional divide. On this, her sixth album, she effectively conveys songs filled with love and the longing for it, baring her soul and demonstrating a vulnerability that makes Break the Spell easily her most compelling attempt yet.
For most of the decade, Ellis has been finding her audience and winning critical kudos on the folk-festival circuit, and here it’s clear why. Her music comforts like a caress on songs like “Twisted Roads,” “Blackbird” and “Red Light.” The style may have originated with others—Janis Ian and the Indigo Girls come immediately to mind—but now Ellis can confidently claim it as her own.
Performing Songwriter Top12 DIY PICK - June 2008
